Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

R4544

Incident date

August 22, 2023

Location

محطة مياه عري في بلدة عين شيب, Urri water station in Ain Shib town, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two people were killed, an elderly man and an 18-year-old boy, and between three and five people were seriously injured, including a woman, a male child and a female child, when alleged Russian bombs hit a disused water station, near the villages of Urri and Ain Shib, west of Idlib, around midnight on August 22nd 2023. All of the victims were living in the water station after having been displaced and SY-24 reported they were all from the same family. The Syrian Civil Defence responded to the incident, retrieved the bodies, treated some of the injured and secured the area. Many livestock were also killed in the strike.

The majority of sources agreed that two people had been killed but the numbers of reported injuries varied. Baladi News reported a woman and male child were injured. Zaman Al Wasl and The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three people were injured and a family remained buried under rubble. Shaam Network and the Syrian Civil Defence reported that five people were injured, including a woman, a male child and a female child.

Almost all sources described the victims who were killed as an elderly man and an 18-year-old boy. However, @molhamteam tweeted that a female child was killed in the bombing, referring to a video posted by Orient News that showed what appeared to be a body at the site.

Local sources told Zaman Al Wasl and Rozana FM that the abandoned water station was inhabited by displaced families from Ruwaiha who kept their livestock there.

@HadiAlabdallah, a Syrian journalist on the scene, claimed in a video posted to his Ttwitter that the family had been sleeping outside due to the hot weather when the bombs fell.

Shaam Network reported that the water station had been targeted with multiple raids and Al Jazeera stated that there had been two raids.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the airstrikes to Russian forces. Both the Russian Information Agency and a Syrian source confirmed that an airstrike had taken place that night but claimed it had been targeting a headquarters or “monitoring center” of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, according to Al-Jazeera.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of one of the victims of alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @molhamteam)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by SY-24)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by SY-24)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by SY-24)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by SY-24)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by Rozana FM)
  • Livestock killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by Rozana FM)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian airstrikes on Ain Shib town on August 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties as a result of the Russian occupation bombing of a water station in the Ain Sheeb area, west of Idlib.
  • Civilian casualties as the Russian occupation targeted a water station in the Ain Sheeb area, west of Idlib
  • Two deaths and injuries among civilians as a result of the bombing of the Russian occupation air force, Eib Sheeb water station, west of Idlib
  • Killed and wounded as a result of the Russian occupation aircraft targeting the water station in Ain Sheeb, rural #Idlib
  • Civilian casualties as the Russian occupation targeted a water station in the Ain Sheeb area, west of Idlib

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    The death toll from the targeting of the Ain Sheib water station, west of Idlib, has risen to two martyrs and a number of civilian casualties trapped under the rubble. The defense teams are working to save them, after the occupation warplanes targeted the station directly

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4582

Incident date

October 6, 2023

Location

وسط مدينة ادلب, city center of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

During the evening of Friday, October 6, 2023, four civilians (including a boy and a woman) were killed, and 12 were injured (including six children and a woman) by an artillery bombardments allegedly perpetrated either by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian and/or Iranian military on a residential area of the city center of Idlib. According to TV Idlib, two among the four civilians killed were newlyweds who had been married just 20 days before the incident. TV Idlib shared the pictures of their two bodies wrapped in white cloth in its Twitter/X account. The victims have not been named at the time of writing.

Facebook users Khabar and Konya posted images showing the bombardment of Idlib with clouds arising over the buildings. A Facebook user Makhmud Abu Yazan shared a graphic video showing dead bodies of the civilians lying on the ground in pools of blood. A Twitter/X user Alaa Al Dia (@Alaaeddindiab) shared the videos of the men carrying injured people from the place of the attack. In a video shared by the Twitter/X user @Jamil_Alhasaan a journalist said that eight missiles hit the Al Zira area in Idlib and there were civilian casualties.

The Syrian Civil Defence reportedly attended to the area of the incident shortly after it was bombed in order to evacuate and rescue civilians where necessary. They also said in a tweet that they treated some of the injured and recovered the bodies of “some” of the victims. The post shows images of two injured men being treated after the incident, with their legs bandaged.

A Twitter/X user Mohab Nasser (@Mohab_Nasser2) shared pictures of a small wounded boy with his head and arm bandaged in the arms of a man.

Posts on X/Twitter by Omar Madaniah and Rian Almasri featured a heart wrenching photo of the crying parents of one of the victims, a boy whose age has not been reported, who was their only son. The posts contained a quote in Arabic saying “My heart was gone alone, and by God, he took a shower and put on his clean clothes.” Rian Almasri’s post also included a video of the boy’s father crying and saying “I don’t have anyone else but him.”

It is not clear who the attackers were; however, the Syrian Civil Defence said in a tweet that the bombing came from Syrian regime forces. Other sources on Twitter/X named Iran military and Russian military as the perpetrators. Therefore, the Airwars graded the Strike Status and Civilian Harm Status as Contested.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

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    Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

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    Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @Omar_Madaniah

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    Source: @Mohab_Nasser2

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    Source: @Mohab_Nasser2

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    Source: @TvIdlib
  • Source: Khabar
  • Source: Khabar
  • Source: Konya
  • Source: Konya

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Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Iranian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Iranian Military
  • Iranian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military, Iranian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4425

Incident date

December 9, 2021

Location

جامع قباء, Quba Mosque, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.350014, 40.118543 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Russian forces army patrol reportedly killed a child with disabilities, Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, 17 or 16 years old, by gunfire, in the Al Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021, in the evening.

Euphrates reported that Abdul Al-Hajar was sitting next to the “Quba Mosque” and that the “patrolmen treated him as a suicide bomber because of the uniform he was wearing, known as the “skull.”” Euphrates also reported that he was wearing an abaya (a winter fur) – but as Deir Ezzor 24 News reported, the patrol members accused him of wearing a suicide vest. According to a local source, @Sada_AlSharqieh, one of the Russian patrol saw the young man filming the Russian forces, and shot him “directly for fear of having any weapons with him.”

Euphrates reported that the Russian patrol “ran him over with a car after he was killed.” Deir Ezzor 24 News added that they also beat him and dragged his body to a security branch. Other local sources corroborate this, saying that his body was tied to one of the military vehicles.

Abdul Al-Hajar was from Subikhan in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor.

@Sada_AlSharqieh reported on Twitter that “the city is witnessing a great security alert, fearing the people’s reaction to the incident.”  Aramme News also reported that “the killing comes amid popular anger in Deir Ezzor governorate for weeks, after Russian patrols tried to pass through the governorate, which was completely rejected by the people.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar
16 or 17 years old years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Aziz Khalil Al-Hajar, aged 17, was reportedly shot by Russian patrol in the Al-Jura neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on December 9th 2021 (Image via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Quba mosque (جامع قباء) in the Al Jura neighbourhood (حي الجورة) of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور).The generic coordinates for the Quba mosque are: 35.350014, 40.118543. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4458

Incident date

August 13, 2022

Location

بالقرب من بلدة النيرب بريف إدلب الجنوبي الشرقي, Near the town of Neirab in the southeastern countryside of Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian, Amer Hussein al Asmar, from the town Halfaya was killed by a landmine explosion of the remnants of the battles near Jubas while he was collecting figs near the town of Neirab in the southeastern countryside of Idlib on August 13th 2022. Local media sources state that the victim was married and left behind his two children. One sole report by TvIdlib, identifies the victim by the name Amer Abu Khaled.

According to local sources, the landmine was a remain of the recurring bombings in northwestern Syria as a result of Syrian regime and Russian forces actions. The northwestern area of Syria has allegedly thousands of unexploded landmines from continued bombings, preventing ordinary civilians to harvest their crops.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amer Hussein al Asmar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • One civilian was reportedly killed by a landmine explosion in Jubas on August 13th 2022 (Image via @mzmgr941 / Twitter)
  • One civilian was reportedly killed by a landmine explosion in Jubas on August 13th 2022 (Image via @mzmgr941 / Twitter)
  • One civilian was reportedly killed by a landmine explosion in Jubas on August 13th 2022 (Image via @defense_syr / Twitter)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4489

Incident date

November 14, 2022

Location

معربليت, Maarbalit, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 14th, 2022, according to local sources, one civilian, a man, was reportedly killed and another one injured while they were harvesting olives in farms near Maarbalit village, south of Idlib. The Syrian Civil Defense said the attack was conducted by heavy Syrian and Russian artillery shelling, while other local sources either blamed the Syrian forces only or the Russian forces only.

SNHR added that the shelling landed close to a group of civilians and described the man killed as Yousef Ibrahim Barhou “from Maarbalit village”. Baladi News said the attack occurred in the morning, and that the young man was killed instantly. It also stated that “civil defense teams went to the scene of the accident and transferred the body of the young man to his family after the doctors confirmed that he had passed away.”.

One source only, quoting local sources without further precisions, said that only material damage was recorded following the artillery shelling.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Ibrahim Barhou
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • One civilian was reportedly killed and one injured by Syrian and Russian artillery shelling on November 6th, 2022 in Maarbalit fields. Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4520

Incident date

June 22, 2023

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the evening of June 22, 2023, Sarmin, a town east of Idlib, was struck by intense artillery, allegedly carried out by the Syrian regime and/or Russian forces and resulting in the death of one woman and the injury of between five and six civilians, including four to five women and a young boy.

According to Baladi News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a young woman named Khitam Al Abbas died due to injuries sustained from the attack the next day, June 23rd. In addition, multiple sources report that between five and six civilians were injured, including one young boy. His name has not been found within the sources. The Syrian Civil Defense put the number of injuries at six, including three serious injuries, and added that their volunteers took two of the women to the hospital for treatment. Other sources, including @spc_fr, put the number of injuries at five.

Twitter users @mzmgr941 and @khaleedalkhteb reported the names of five of the women that were injured, which are Jamila Abbas Maasran – seriously injured in the chest, Fatima Khalil Saraqib – light foot injury, Hamida Ahmed Hallaq Sarmin – shoulder injury (good condition), Marah Yassin Al Tarnbeh – light injury, and Faiza Qadr Al Tarnbeh – light hand injury. The shelling affected residential areas, including the vicinity of a school and mosque, according to the Syria Civil Defense. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that one of the shells struck the center of the popular market in the city center.

Baladi News reported that Khitam Al Abbas, the woman who was tragically killed, had been displaced with her family from her hometown of Maasran to Sarman and that her grandmother was among those injured. Twitter user @anasanas84 stateds that the artillery fire came from Syrian regime forces in Saraqib; other sources reported that Syrian regime forces, Russian forces, or both working in tandem are responsible for the strike. A tweet from @anasanas84 mentioned that a rocket launcher was used in the attack.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Marah Yassin Al-Tarnbeh مرح ياسين الترنبة
female injured
Faiza Qadr Al-Tarnbeh فايزة قدر الترنبة
female injured

The victims were named as:

Jamila Abbas Maasran جميلة عباس معصران
Age unknown female injured
Fatima Khalil Saraqib فاطمة خليل سراقب
Age unknown female injured
Hamida Ahmed Hallaq Sarmin حميدة أحمد حلاق سرمين
Age unknown female injured
Khitam Al-Abbas ختام العباس
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace, Religious Institution, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    6 women were wounded by the bombing of the Assad forces and Russia on the city of Sarmin.
  • Civil Defense volunteers help the victims of alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @abdalazezketaz)
  • Revolution correspondent monitors the effects of the bombing on the city of Sarmin

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The first moments of our teams' response to the bombing that targeted yesterday, Thursday, June 22, the residential neighborhoods and the popular market in the city of Sarmin, northeastern #Idlib.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Woman injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling of Sarmin on June 22, 2023. (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • The effects of the bombing that targeted the town of Sarmin, east of Idlib. (Image posted by @sawarqi47568)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace, Religious Institution, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4572

Incident date

October 5, 2023

Location

دير سنبل, Deir Sinbol, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one woman was injured after alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery hit the town of Deir Sinbol on October 5th, 2023. Neither the woman’s name, nor other identifying characteristics, have been made available.

@MohamadDaba9966 reported that the strike hit an armed vehicle, “killing and wounding” those inside the car “on the #Hantoutin-#Dersanbel road” but it is unclear if this is the same incident as it does appear that the injured woman was wounded in the village itself.

It is unclear which party was directly responsible for the strike. One source, @NagiNajjar on Twitter, attributed the strike to “Assad’s gangs” —pointing to Syrian regime involvement. Others claimed international involvement, such as @mhmdfaisel on Twitter/X, who alleged that the strike occurred because of “the Assad militia, Iran, and Russia.” @alking14399969 corroborated this, claiming that “Russian reconnaissance aircraft” was responsible. Mars Idlb on Facebook states that Syrian regime affiliates were stationed at checkpoints near the village, and it was from this position that the artillery strikes were fired.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4436

Incident date

February 12, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret al Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.035556, 36.838611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, a Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling killed five to six civilians from the same family and injured two to seven civilians including one to two children and one woman.  Among those killed were reportedly two to three children, two women and two men.  The incident happend on February 12th 2022 in the town of Maarat Al-Naasan in the countryside of Idlib.

The bombing apparently began at 11.30am to midday.

Six reported names of the deceased were: Ruaa Oqab, Aisha Oqab, both described as “little girls”, Hayat Oqab, Noor Oqab, Diba Oqab and Fawas Oqab. Other names which were mentioned, different from these were Imad Oqa (Abu Muhammad) and Aysha Oqab, although these were likely alternative names for those already mentioned. They were reported to have been from the same family.  One member of the family was reported to have died from injuries.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that “the tea drinking session turned into a massacre, death overshadowed the place, and laughter turned into tragedies and pain. A mortar shell fired by the regime forces and Russa on the outskirts of the town of Maarat Al-Naasan left family members and their relatives dead.”

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ruaa Oqab
Child female killed
Aisha Oqab
Child female killed
Hayat Oqab
Age unknown killed
Noor Oqab
Age unknown killed
Diba Oqab
Age unknown killed
Fawas Oqab
Adult male killed
Imad Oqab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (56) [ collapse]

  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Raqqa RWB / Facebook)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Al Khabour 2011)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights posted a photo of some of the deceased, allegedly killed by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via SNHR)
  • SNHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • A child's shoe, the destruction after Russian or Syrian regime missile reportedly hit the Oqab family house on February 12th 2022 (Image via @hamza_hindawie / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @abdalwhab761 / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Maaret Al Nassan / Facebook)
  • Fawas Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Abd Al Hay Oqab / Facebook)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Mohammed Motlaq / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maaret Al Nassan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.035556, 36.838611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.

Sources (51) [ collapse]